[INT. TOWN HALL – ELECTION CENTER – DAY]
Cheering crowds. Posters. Cameras flashing. Banners read: "Vote MARTIN for Mayor – A New Tomorrow". Martin stands at the center in a sleek black suit, flashing his signature cold smile.
Supporter (approaching)
"Sir! Sir, please! Just know this—I'll vote for you. We need a man like you running this place!"
Martin (smiling calmly)
"Thank you. I appreciate the faith. A man who believes in change... is a man worth protecting."
Suddenly—SNAP!
The Supporter's neck is twisted violently. He collapses, lifeless. Gasps erupt. Security looks around in confusion. Blood seeps across the tiled floor.
Martin simply adjusts his collar, unshaken.
Martin (slowly, grinning)
"So… someone doesn't want me to be mayor, huh?"
He steps over the body, unfazed.
Martin (calmly, sinister)
"You want me dead before I take the chair? Tsk. That's not how it works."
He faces the crowd, eyes glowing slightly in the dim lighting. People freeze. Silence.
Martin
"Welcome to paradise, my friends. A new age... under me."
[INT. PRIVATE OFFICE – NIGHT]
Martin sits alone, the election screen behind him showing increasing votes in his favor. He holds a photo of James in his hand.
Martin (softly, to the photo)
"So James…"
He smirks, tapping the edge of the photo with his finger.
Martin
"Let's see how you choose your destiny, my dear friend."
He closes his eyes, leans back in the chair.
Martin (calmly)
"When you're finally ready… I'll be there."
He opens his eyes. Sharp. Predatory.
Martin (whispers)
"I will take your soul… and I'll drink your blood."
He smiles. Cold. Inevitable.
Martin
"Because even the strongest monsters… bleed."
**[INT. INVESTIGATION ROOM – NIGHT]**
**James (serious)** "So who the hell could it be? The cameraman? The guy who doesn't kill for fun... but kills to *capture* it?"
**Lucas (nodding)** "He's not looking for chaos, James. He's looking for *art*. For perfection in pain."
**James (gritting teeth)** "Yeah. I see it now…"
**[EXT. CRIME SCENE – ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – NIGHT]**
*7 corpses hang from iron rods, each with a photograph stapled to their chest — a still shot of them screaming before death.*
**Lucas (coldly)** "Seven victims. Same signature. Tortured… and immortalized."
**James (angrily)** "He wants his victims to be remembered in the exact second they begged."
**Lucas** "He's not just a murderer, James. He's a photographer obsessed with his 'masterpieces'."
**[INT. BRIEFING ROOM – NIGHT]**
**Lucas (pointing to map)** "All victims were from the same area. We know the pattern. Tonight… we stop him."
**James (cracking knuckles)** "Let's find him before he finds another frame to shoot."
**Sofia (stepping forward)** "I'll be the bait."
**James (shocked)** "What?! Are you out of your mind?"
**Sofia** "James, you've bled enough for this. You've hurt yourself more times than I can count. Let *me* take the risk this time."
**James (softly)** "You sure about this…?"
**Sofia (calmly)** "I trust you'll catch him. Just like you always do."
**[EXT. DARK ALLEY – NIGHT – STAGED STING]**
*Sofia walks alone under flickering lights. Silent. Then:*
**Mateo (appears from shadows, grinning)** "Wsp… lady? Beautiful night, huh? Perfect light. Perfect pain."
**Sofia (firm)** "You're not getting a shot tonight."
**Mateo** "Oh, I will. I already have. You just don't know it yet—"
**James (drops behind him)** "Mateo!"
**Mateo (startled)** "What the— James?! You were the guy I—wait…"
**James (furious)** "You came into my house. Took my picture while I was sleeping, didn't you?!"
**Mateo (grinning, flicks cigarette)** "Click. Boom."
*A smokescreen bursts. Mateo runs. James chases.*
**[EXT. SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS CHASE]**
**Mateo (panting, laughing)** "You can't catch me! I'm too fast!"
**James (shouting)** "Is that so…?"
*Lucas steps out from a blind alley—blocking Mateo.*
**Lucas (calm)** "Not fast enough."
*BAM — James tackles Mateo. Punches fly. Blood spills.*
**[EXT. BRIDGE – NEXT MORNING]**
*Mateo's corpse hangs high from the steel frame. A photo of his own screaming face dangles from his neck. The sky turns grey.*
**Lucas (lighting a cigarette)** "It's done. Another one gone."
**James (quietly)** "You think this makes us different from them?"
**Lucas (without flinching)** "I think this makes us *monsters who know what side we're on*."